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Hypothyroidism Prevention

Hypothyroidism: Prevention

 

Top Prevention

1. Avoid unhealthy diets

According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated one in eight people develop some serious thyroid disorder at some time in their lives, many owing it to their poor, unbalanced diets. In fact, most people do not realize that inducing healthy, rich eating habits can significantly lessen the threat of hypothyroidism. Since balanced diets are very crucial for healthy hormone production, it is advised to provide the body with sufficient iron, iodine, vitamin A and selenium.

2. Reduce intake of raw goitrogenic foods

You should uniformly keep an eye on your intake of raw goitrogenic foods. Such food items obstruct the adequate absorption of iodine, which can further narrow down your thyroidโ€™s function to regulate the metabolism. However, a moderate level of goitrogenic food consumption is not considered harmful as long as your body does not have iodine deficiency. However, at the same time, intake of goitrogenic foods is equally important. So, eat green cruciferous vegetables like spinach, cauliflower, bok choy, collard greens, broccoli, rapini, Brussels sprouts and mustard greens. You can even include fresh fruits such as strawberries, pears and peaches.

3. Limit intake of refined sugar and starch

If you have ever heard of empty calories, then probably now is the time to realize the negative effects that they could have on you. According to research, substances such as refined sugar and starch can enormously interfere with a balanced diet within the internal body system. They can also induce an increase in your weight and simultaneously lower the circulation due to which the ability of thyroid to function properly will get disturbed and eventually deteriorate. Thus, make sure you are not consuming an excess of refined sugar and starch.

4. Reduce intake of polyunsaturated oils

Besides eating balanced and healthy foods, you should also limit your intake of poly-unsaturated oils. In fact, according to one recently conducted study, the influx in poly-unsaturated oils massively affects progesterone and hormones in the body, which may further persuade the threat of hypothyroidism. To avoid this, you can replace one tablespoon of your cooking oil with coconut oil. Certain new studies have also suggested that using coconut oil in everyday meals can help an affected thyroid return to its healthy functioning.

At the same time, try to incorporate selenium-rich foods in your diet for better prevention. Not many would be cognizant but selenium tremendously balances the hormones in the thyroid and concurrently reduces the risk of hypothyroidism. Therefore, also include selenium-rich items such as eggs, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, shellfish, onions, sesame seeds, garlic, wheat germ and beef liver.

5. Exercise everyday for at least 30 minutes

As good circulation is extremely important for the gland to function adequately, ensure that you indulge in regular cardiovascular exercise. This will enable the thyroid to distribute hormones properly and lessen the threat of hypothyroidism. Keep in mind, hormones that are secreted through thyroid help in controlling the metabolism and exercising everyday for at least 30 minutes will allow them to stay healthy.

6. Stay active throughout the day

Similarly, you should avoid leading a sedentary lifestyle as it can seriously disable the body to enhance circulation and execute control over the weight gain. In fact, doctors highly recommend that taking approximately 10,000 steps each day or walking for around five miles during the day helps maintain a healthy body, further trimming down the risk of hypothyroidism.

7. Consult the doctor if taking vitamin D or iodine supplements

If your diet does not integrate sufficient iodine or vitamin D, then you may develop deficiency for these two essential nutrients, which in turn may affect the thyroid gland. You should never take these supplements without a proper guidance from the doctor. Make sure you have consulted your doctor for the right supplement amount, based on your diet as well as your lifestyle.

8. Consult your doctor for thyroid function check up

Another significant prevention that one could take for hypothyroidism is having your thyroid function test done. Your doctor may conduct a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test, which will not only help you know the changes that are being induced, but will also help measure the hormones in the gland against a healthy level. However, according to the professionals, the most optimum level of TSH should be somewhere between 0.4 and 2.5. Results that fall anywhere between 0 and 0.4 reveal an established stage for hyperthyroidism whereas the results that fall between 2.5 and 5 indicate the onset of hypothyroidism. Therefore, it is highly advised to get a thyroid function check up done each year in order to prevent the disease. Since hypothyroidism is a medical condition where a thyroid gland tends to produce hormones much less than what is required by the body, people are suggested to consult their doctor on a regular basis to detect any such onset.

9. Do not neglect sudden bodily changes

If you feel any bodily differences, then consult your doctor immediately. You may have the symptoms of hypothyroidism, which include allergies, low energy, depression, dry skin, insomnia, weight gain, joint pain and heart disease. Thus, make sure you do not overlook such significant changes and do not avoid consulting your doctor. Generally, women who are above 40 years of age are at an increased risk. However, irrespective of the age, ensure to consult your doctor immediately if you believe you may have the symptoms in order to trim down the possibility of aggravated hypothyroidism.

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